Ellen Chat Conversation

The bread and wine used in the Communion service are strictly understood as symbols that represent the physical reality of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine serve as a vivid representation of His body being broken and His blood being shed for the salvation of humanity (SJ 98.4). These emblems are described as simple and easily understood, yet they carry a deep significance as a memorial of the great sacrifice made for mankind (Ev 273.3). Rather than being a repetition of the sacrifice, the Lord's Supper was instituted to keep the memory of Christ's betrayal and crucifixion fresh in the minds of His followers (3SG 228.1).

It serves as a continuing memorial that replaced the Passover, marking the transition between two economies and establishing a service that is to continue through all time as a remembrance of His death (Ev 273.3). This ordinance is intended to help believers realize their constant dependence on the blood of Christ for their ongoing salvation and cleansing from sin (3SG 228.1). When partaking of these symbols, the believer is encouraged to mentally join the scene of the original Communion in the upper chamber. The act of receiving the bread and wine allows the participant to witness, in imagination, the struggle and agony of Christ in the garden and on the cross, effectively setting Him forth as crucified among the congregation (DA 661.1).

This experience is designed to be soul-refreshing and life-giving, connecting the heart to the reconciliation obtained through His struggle (CCh 301.6). The purity of these symbols is also emphasized, as the emblems used by Christ were unblemished and unfermented. The unleavened bread and the unfermented wine represent His own unblemished sacrifice and His pure life (HLv 440.1). Because the service is meant to be a holy memorial, nothing that could minister to evil, such as fermented wine, should be used to represent the Saviour's blood (PaM 171).

You might also want to explore:What did Ellen White teach about the frequency with which the Lord's Supper should be celebrated?How does the ordinance of foot washing relate to the Communion service?What practical counsel did she give regarding the preparation of the heart before partaking of the bread and wine?